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In yet another attempt to weaponize academic exchanges, US House Republicans, according to AP on Thursday, have made baseless accusations against the China Scholarship Council (CSC), urging seven American universities to sever ties with the long-standing educational program. 

The move, framed under the pretext of "national security," exposes Washington's growing desperation to stifle China's development through "academic decoupling" - a strategy that a Chinese expert warns will backfire, eroding the US' own scientific competitiveness and global academic leadership.

According to AP report on Thursday, the House Select Committee on China, led by Republican Rep. John Moolenaar, recently sent letters to Dartmouth College, the University of Notre Dame, and five other institutions, labeling the CSC—a Chinese government-funded scholarship program for overseas studies—as a "nefarious mechanism" for technology transfer. The lawmakers demanded that universities provide records related to the program, AP reported.

Moolenaar claimed that the program is a "technology transfer effort that exploits US institutions and directly supports China's military and scientific growth." 

These "pan-securitization" accusations reveal the US' true intention of suppressing China's development through "academic decoupling," Li Haidong, a professor at China Foreign Affairs University, told the Global Times on Thursday. "It is evident that these Republican lawmakers aim to weaken or even sever educational exchanges between China and the US, thereby spreading distorted perceptions of China within American society," Li said.

 The CSC, established in 1996, sponsors many Chinese students annually to study abroad, including in the US. Like many international scholarship programs, it requires recipients to return to China for at least two years after graduation—a standard clause also found in US government-funded initiatives such as the Fulbright Program. 

The Republican-led committee's latest push aligns with a broader US trend of restricting Chinese students in so-called "critical fields." 

According to AP, the US has stepped up scrutiny of Chinese students coming to the US. In May, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the US would revoke visas from some Chinese students studying in "critical fields." During his first term, US President Donald Trump restricted visas for students affiliated with China's so-called "military-civil fusion strategy."

According to the report, Dartmouth and Notre Dame confirmed they were already phasing out CSC partnerships, but the University of California (UC) system emphasized its commitment to global collaboration. "International students and academic partnerships are critical to scientific progress, economic growth, and our educational mission," said the office of UC President Michael V. Drake, AP reported.

Li argues that Washington's move is self-defeating. "Such actions by the US reflect an unwillingness to tolerate China's progress, pushing America toward a more insular path," noted the expert. "This approach will not only worsen China-US relations but also is an attempt to sow seeds of hostility domestically."

According to the Institute of International Education last December, China is the second-largest source of international students in the US, despite a 4 percent decline to 277,398 students in the 2023-24 academic year. Reuters said in May that this drop was driven partly by growing tension between the world's two biggest economies and heightened US government scrutiny of some Chinese students. AP noted that the majority are self-funded - only a fraction receive CSC grants. 

Li said many Chinese graduates contribute to American innovation, with a significant number staying to work in tech, engineering, and academia. "By alienating these scholars, the US risks losing a vital talent pipeline," the expert warns.

The accusations against the CSC are only part of a wider campaign led by some US politicians against China-US educational ties. In May, Rep. Moolenaar pressured Duke University to cut collaboration with a Chinese institution, while Eastern Michigan University terminated partnerships with two Chinese universities in June following committee scrutiny.

"By singling out the CSC, some so-called American elites lay bare their entrenched arrogance, prejudice, and sense of superiority," Li remarked. "Such anti-China rhetoric is not limited to Republicans—many Democratic lawmakers hold similar biases, indicating a broader decline in enthusiasm within the US government for genuine educational engagement."

 "There is no doubt that the US is treating educational exchanges as a political weapon," the expert emphasized. 

 Li said that Washington should recognize the mutual benefits of cross-border education, otherwise its fear-driven policies may achieve the opposite of their intended effect, leaving America less innovative and increasingly isolated on the global stage.

The 25th batch of the Chinese medical team in Ethiopia has donated much-needed medical supplies to the Tirunesh-Beijing Hospital, also known as the Ethio-China Friendship Hospital, located on the outskirts of Addis Ababa, the East African country's capital.

Addressing the handover ceremony on Wednesday evening, Eshetu Tadele, chief executive officer of Tirunesh-Beijing Hospital, hailed the successive Chinese medical teams for their "life-saving contributions" to the people of Ethiopia and for imparting medical knowledge and skills to their Ethiopian counterparts in the process.

He said Chinese medical teams based at the hospital have demonstrated that "the health system has no boundary. That is why you showed your heart and your kindness in helping Ethiopia."

Highlighting that the latest donation of medical supplies marks the third such contribution to the hospital within a year, Tadele said a recent similar donation, coupled with a successful skills transfer initiative, has enabled the establishment of a fully-equipped eye treatment unit at the hospital.

"I would like to thank you very much for the huge and tremendous donation to our hospital. Since the establishment of this hospital, the Chinese government has been donating lots of medical equipment, and lots of experts have been assigned to our hospital to help Ethiopian communities," Tadele said.

"I would like to thank you for the support in terms of human resources, medical equipment, and skills transfer, which strengthens the health system in Ethiopia," he added.

While welcoming the 26th batch of the Chinese medical team, the hospital community also commended the outgoing team members for their "important support" in safeguarding the health and well-being of the Ethiopian people.

They underscored that Chinese doctors' service is a vivid manifestation of the two countries' growing people-to-people ties.

Liu Junying, head of the 25th batch of the Chinese medical team, said his team, which began work at Tirunesh-Beijing Hospital in May 2024, has been delivering medical services to Ethiopian communities as part of the long-standing Sino-Ethiopian health cooperation.

He further reiterated China's commitment to sending successive medical teams to provide healthcare for Ethiopians in need, while also sharing expertise with local medical professionals.

The newly dispatched 26th Chinese medical team, consisting of 16 specialists across various fields, continues China's medical mission to Ethiopia, which has been serving the local population since the 1970s.

China welcomes the latest developments in relations between Russia and the Afghan interim government, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said at a press briefing on Friday.

Mao's remarks were made in response to a media inquiry about Russia's formal recognition of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, which is ruled by the Taliban.

According to Russia's Tass News Agency, Moscow has formally recognized the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, the Russian Foreign Ministry announced on Thursday.

As a traditionally friendly neighbor of Afghanistan, China believes the country should not be excluded from the international community, Mao said.

China supports the international community in strengthening engagement and dialogue with the Afghan interim government, encourages it to actively respond to international concerns, and jointly assists in Afghanistan's reconstruction and development, supports its fight against terrorist forces, and contributes positively to regional peace, stability, and prosperity, Mao said.

When asked whether China has similar plans, Mao said that regardless of changes in Afghanistan's internal or external situation, diplomatic relations between China and Afghanistan have never been interrupted.

Since the establishment of the Afghan interim government, the diplomatic missions of the two sides have maintained normal operations in each other's territory, playing a positive role in promoting bilateral relations, the spokesperson said.

She added that China will continue to pursue a friendly policy toward all Afghan people and support exchanges and cooperation across various fields between China and Afghanistan.

After a prediction that a devastating earthquake would strike Japan on Saturday recently went viral on social media, but did not come true, the Global Times has learned from several Chinese tourism operators that despite concerns and trip cancellations of some Chinese tourists, several tour groups to Japan have departed as scheduled. 

The widely discussed prophecy originated from the comic book "The Future I Saw" by Japanese manga artist Ryo Tatsuki, which predicted that on July 5, a crack will open up under the seabed between Japan and the Philippines, sending ashore waves three times as tall as those from the Tohoku earthquake,according to CNN.  

Although the prophecy did not come true, several earthquakes struck southwestern Japan on Sunday and Saturday.

The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) says earthquakes with estimated magnitudes of 4.8 and 5.4 occurred on the island of Akuseki-jima in the southwestern prefecture of Kagoshima at 2:01 pm and 2:07 pm on Sunday, but there is no tsunami threat, Japanese media outlet NHK reported on Sunday.

JMA also reported a quake with a preliminary magnitude of 5.4 off the Tokara island chain in Kagoshima at 6:29 am, according to the Xinhua News Agency. 

"It is absolutely a coincidence. There is no causal connection," Ayataka Ebita of the JMA said at a press conference later on Saturday, Japan's Kyodo News reported. Ebita said current science is unable to accurately predict earthquakes, and any that appear to fit the manga's prediction are purely coincidental. "In Japan, earthquakes can happen at any time. Please be prepared always," he added. 

On Saturday, the topic surged to the top of trending searches on Chinese social media. "Nothing happened in Japan" became the No.1 trending topic on Chinese X-like platform Weibo. 

The Global Times learned on Sunday from Qunar, a major Chinese online travel agency, that it had previously received questions from tourists regarding this issue and that there had been some trip cancellations. Staff from China Youth Travel Service (CYTS) Aoyou told the Global Times on Sunday that their tour groups to Japan had departed as scheduled, as they hadn't received any official notifications, adding that they offer positive guidance to tourists' inquiries based on official information.

A Chinese national surnamed Ma, who operates a hot spring hotel and provides chartered tour services in Japan's Izu, told the Global Times on Sunday that his main customers are Chinese tourists during weekdays and the summer holidays, and that there were very few customers before July 5. "But from today onwards, the number of visitors will increase, according to bookings. Queuing is now necessary at Izu's popular destination, Mount Omuro, which was previously not required. And my hotel is almost fully booked after July 16," Ma said.

Despite viral rumors of an impending disaster, hk01 reported that three tour groups under Hong Kong-based travel agency EGL Tours had departed on Saturday, heading respectively to Japan's Hokkaido, Kyushu and Osaka.

A tourist heading to Kyushu said that the tour fee was one-third cheaper than before, adding that they had made disaster prevention preparations in advance, including bringing some food and other necessities, per hk01.

Steve Huen of EGL Tours said that due to the earthquake prediction, the number of tour groups to Japan in July has dropped from an average of seven to 10 groups per day to just three groups on Saturday. And the number of people per group has also declined from an average of 20 to 30 people to just 12 people on Saturday, and the prices of the tour groups have significantly decreased.

But he believes that the worst period has passed and expects the number of people joining tours to Japan to rebound as early as August, with a significant recovery anticipated by the end of September to October, close to the autumn foliage season.

Chinese Premier Li Qiang said Sunday that BRICS countries should strive to become the vanguard in advancing the reform of global governance.

Li made the remarks when addressing the plenary session of "Peace and Security and Reform of Global Governance" of the 17th BRICS Summit, calling on the bloc to safeguard world peace and tranquility, and promote the peaceful settlement of disputes.

Leaders of BRICS countries attended the meeting, which was presided by Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.

Li said at present, changes unseen in a century are unfolding at an accelerated pace, international rules and order are being severely challenged, and the authority and efficacy of multilateral institutions continue to wane.

The vision of global governance put forward by Chinese President Xi Jinping, characterized by extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits, has been further demonstrating its contemporary value and practical significance, Li said.

In face of growing conflicts and differences, it is needed to enhance extensive consultation based on equality and mutual respect; In face of deeply intertwined common interests, it is needed to pursue joint contribution through solidarity; In face of mutually beneficial development opportunities, it is needed to hold an open mind to seek mutual success and shared benefits, said Li.

As the leading force of the Global South, BRICS countries should uphold independence and self-reliance, demonstrate a sense of responsibility, and play a greater role in building consensus and synergies, Li noted.

The Chinese premier called on the group to hold fast to morality and justice, and seek fundamental solutions based on the merits of each issue.

BRICS countries should also focus on development and bolster the drivers of economic growth, said Li, adding that they should actively spearhead development cooperation and tap into the growth potential of emerging sectors.

Noting that China will establish a China-BRICS research center on new quality productive forces this year, Li also announced a scholarship established for BRICS countries to facilitate talent cultivation in sectors including industry and telecommunication.

It is essential for BRICS countries to foster inclusiveness and advance exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations, Li said, calling on the countries to act as advocates for the harmonious coexistence of civilizations, striving to ensure diverse civilizations flourish together through mutual reinforcement.

China stands ready to join hands with other BRICS countries to promote global governance in a more just, equitable, efficient and orderly direction, working collectively to build a better world, he said.

The leaders of countries participating in the meeting noted that the BRICS cooperation mechanism has continued to grow stronger and more representative, with its international influence rising steadily.

It has provided an important platform for Global South countries to defend their right to development, uphold international fairness and justice, and participate in the reform of the global governance system, they said.

In an increasingly turbulent world where unilateralism and protectionism are on the rise, they said, BRICS countries should enhance solidarity and coordination, defend the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, uphold and practice multilateralism, and make greater contribution to promoting common development, improving global governance, and fostering lasting peace and prosperity in the world.

The meeting adopted the Rio de Janeiro Declaration of the 17th BRICS Summit.

Chinese Premier Li Qiang on Monday called for commitment to building an open world economy, and urged the importance of opposing unilateralism and protectionism.

In his remarks addressing the plenary sessions of the 17th BRICS Summit, Li also stressed the need to maintain the stability and smoothness of industrial and supply chains.

Facing an intertwined international situation, China and Europe should enhance communication, understanding, and mutual trust to become "anchors of stability" for the world and be reliable and strong partners that achieve mutual success, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said during a meeting with Belgium's Prime Minister Bart de Wever in Brussels on Monday.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, is visiting Europe from June 30 to July 6, at the invitation of High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy of the EU Kaja Kallas, Federal Foreign Minister of Germany Johann Wadephul, and Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of France Jean-Noël Barrot.

Wang said that Belgium is a founding member of the European Union and the location of its headquarters, playing a unique role in the process of European integration and in relations between China and Europe. China appreciates the new Belgian government's rational and pragmatic policy toward China and is willing to promote the traditional friendship with Belgium and to push the all-round partnership of friendship and cooperation between the two countries to continue moving forward steadily. 

Insisting on high-quality development and a high level of opening up, China welcomes more Belgian enterprises to develop in the country and hopes that Belgium will also provide a fair, safe, and predictable business environment for Chinese companies investing in Belgium, Wang noted.

Wang noted that 2025 marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Europe, which is of significant importance for carrying forward the past and ushering in the future. "The half-century of exchanges between China and Europe fully proves that both sides can fully respect each other and achieve win-win cooperation," Wang said.

Wang emphasized that facing today's intertwined international situation, China and Europe, as two major global forces, markets, and civilizations, should strengthen communication, enhancing understanding, and consolidating mutual trust to jointly uphold multilateralism and the free trade system. China and Europe should be "anchors of stability" for the world and be reliable and strong partners that achieve mutual success.

De Wever said that Belgium and China have a long history of exchanges with active local friendly exchanges, which played a gateway role in Europe-China cooperation. He said that having visited China several times, he has been deeply impressed by China's development achievements. Although Europe and China have different perspectives, in the face of the current complex geopolitical situation, both sides should strengthen exchanges and enhance mutual trust, De Wever said.

De Wever said that Belgium firmly believes in multilateralism, supports Europe in strengthening its autonomy, and looks forward to positive outcomes from the meeting of European and Chinese leaders. He emphasized that the Belgian government firmly adheres to the one China policy and will not change this stance.

The two sides also exchanged views concerning the situation in Ukraine.

Premier of the State Council Li Qiang will attend the 17th BRICS Summit upon invitation in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil from July 5 to 8, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning announced at a regular press conference on Wednesday.

When asked about China's expectations for the BRICS Summit, Mao said the BRICS cooperation mechanism offers the most important platform for the solidarity and cooperation among emerging markets and developing countries in the world. It's an important force for realizing an equal and orderly multipolar world and a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization.

Mao noted that this will be the first summit after the new member Indonesia, and 10 partner countries joined BRICS. Multiple emerging markets, developing countries, and international and regional organizations are invited to the summit. 

China looks forward to working with all parties to consolidate the BRICS strategic partnership, make due contributions to safeguarding multilateralism, promoting common development and improving global governance, and advance the high-quality development of greater BRICS cooperation, Mao added.

Initially comprised of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, the recently expanded BRICS now also includes Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, according to the official BRICS 2025 website. The grouping has evolved into a platform for South-South cooperation and political coordination.

Based on the Johannesburg Declaration, the 2024 Kazan Summit approved the creation of a BRICS partner country category, which now includes Belarus, Bolivia, Cuba, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Nigeria, Thailand, Uganda, Uzbekistan, and most recently, Vietnam.

Experts noted that the expanded format reflects BRICS' rising capacity to represent the Global South. This year's meeting is expected to offer broader representation and a stronger voice for developing nations amid challenges to multilateralism and international cooperation, they added.

"This summit marks the first full gathering of the '11 members+10 partners' BRICS family. Within this new system, developing countries will no longer be the silent majority but a vital force in global governance," Wang Youming, Director of the Institute of Developing Countries at the China Institute of International Studies, told the Global Times on Wednesday.

Growing voice

The inclusion of Indonesia as a full member and Vietnam as a partner country further strengthens BRICS' representativeness and influence. The enlarged grouping spans Asia, Africa, Latin America, and the Middle East, representing nearly half of the global population and about 30 percent of global GDP, contributing over 50 percent of global economic growth, according to an article published on People's Daily Wednesday.

''Joining BRICS cooperation is good for Vietnam's development and the common interest of BRICS countries and the Global South. Having a new partner country in the BRICS family symbolizes the BRICS' growing representativeness, appeal and impact,'' Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said on June 16.

China stands ready to work with other BRICS members and partner countries for a closer and more all-round, result-oriented and inclusive partnership, advance high-quality greater BRICS cooperation, and contribute more to defending multilateralism and global fairness and justice and advocating common development, Guo added.

Ali El-Hefny, Vice President of the Egypt-China Friendship Association and former Egyptian Deputy Foreign Minister, noted BRICS' increasing influence and its critical role in promoting South-South cooperation and common development, the People's Daily reported.

Against a backdrop of frequent geopolitical conflicts and disruptions to the international trade order, BRICS' role in articulating the voice of developing nations has never been more critical, Wang said.

"From the perspectives of economic scale, population, and political representation, BRICS surpasses regional groupings like the G7. It is therefore vital for BRICS to speak with one voice in confronting trade protectionism, geopolitical tensions, and climate change," Wang added.

On June 24, BRICS issued a Joint Statement on the Escalation of the Security Situation in the Middle East Following the Military Strikes on the Territory of the Islamic Republic of Iran, calling on all parties to use existing channels of dialogue and diplomacy, with a view to de-escalate the situation and resolving their differences through peaceful means, which according to experts, demonstrates BRICS' unified voice on global peace and governance. 

Emerging challenges

The 2025 summit is also expected to address key global issues, including the governance of artificial intelligence (AI). According to the BRICS official website, the bloc seeks to improve the legitimacy, equity in participation, and efficiency of global institutions such as the UN, IMF, World Bank, and WTO, while bolstering sustainable social and economic development and promote social inclusion, said the BRICS website.

Brazil, as the current BRICS Chair, has outlined two strategic priorities: Global South Cooperation and BRICS Partnerships for Social, Economic, and Environmental Development. According to the International Institute for Sustainable Development, Brazil's agenda includes six key areas: global health, trade and finance, climate change, AI governance, peace and security, and institutional development.

Chen Fengying, a research fellow at the China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations, told the Global Times on Wednesday that green development, green finance, and AI will be key areas of discussion during the summit. 

"On the future of emerging industries, the Global South will establish its own rules and voice. BRICS will play a pivotal role, with China, as a leading player in these sectors, expected to take the lead," Chen said.

In response to a media enquiry regarding whether China agrees to become a signatory to the Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone Treaty (SEANWFZ) along with Russia, and if so, why China has made this decision now, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said on Thursday that as ASEAN's comprehensive strategic partner and friendly neighbor, China has always firmly supported the establishment of a Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone. 

China and Russia have agreed to become signatories to the SEANWFZ, while the US is currently reviewing the treaty before signing, said Malaysian Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan, as reported by Malaysian National News Agency Bernama.

Mohamad said the involvement of superpowers in the treaty would help preserve Southeast Asia as a region of peace, free of nuclear weapons, per Bernama.

"We have repeatedly made it clear that we are willing to be the first to sign the treaty. China is willing to continue communicating with ASEAN members regarding the signing of the protocol," Mao said.

In response to some Australian media outlets recently hyping China-related remarks made by Fiji's Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka while he was answering reporters' questions at the National Press Club of Australia, the Chinese Embassy in Fiji said in a statement on Thursday that the claims about "China setting up a military base in the Pacific" are false narratives. They are baseless and driven by ulterior motives.  

Some media outlet, including Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), has highlighted Fiji's Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka's remarks on "not welcome" any Chinese military bases in the region in the headline. While in the news, ABC also noted that Rabuka told the Press Club that he didn't believe China was actively looking for a military base in Pacific. 

The Embassy noticed that Prime Minister Rabuka said he did not believe that China needs a base in the Pacific. The claims about "China setting up a military base in the Pacific" are false narratives. They are baseless and driven by ulterior motives, said the spokesperson. 

China's presence in the Pacific is focused on building roads and bridges to improve people's livelihoods, not on stationing troops or setting up military bases. Never has China stirred up any dispute in the Pacific Region, violated any inch of land from Pacific Island Countries, or signed any agreement that forced Pacific Island Countries to sacrifice their sovereignty, according to the spokesperson. 

China remains firmly committed to the international nuclear non-proliferation regime with the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons as the cornerstone and to the Pacific Nuclear Free Zone Treaty. We firmly support Pacific Island Countries in playing a bigger role in regional and international affairs, and will maintain communication with Pacific Island Countries on major international and regional hotspot issues to make positive contributions to the peace and stability of the Pacific region, said the Embassy spokesperson. 

China and Fiji are comprehensive strategic partners, and security cooperation is part of our bilateral relations. China applauds Prime Minister Rabuka's vision for the Pacific as an "Ocean of Peace", and is committed to work with Fiji in contributing to peace and security in the region and beyond, said the Embassy spokesperson. 

The spokesperson of the Embassy emphasizes that the Pacific Ocean is large enough to accommodate win-win cooperation among all countries. China sincerely calls on relevant parties to avoid viewing China-Fiji and China-Pacific Island Countries relations through the narrow lens of geopolitical games, hyping up the so-called threats of geopolitical competition in the region, forcing Pacific Island Countries to "take sides", and imposing their own interests on these countries. Instead, we urge them to do more concrete things that contribute to the development of Pacific Island Countries and the well-being of the people.

Over the past 20 years, the pace of equal and mutually beneficial bilateral cooperation between China and Pacific island countries has accelerated, which has caused unease and dissatisfaction among Western countries. They are attempting to use such propaganda tactic to drive a wedge between Pacific island nations and China — a common tactic of diplomatic blackmail they employ, Yu Lei, a professor from the Department of International Politics and Economics at Shandong University, told the Global Times. 

China has always developed its relations with island countries based on the principles of peaceful coexistence and equality and mutual benefit, and has no intention of escalating military tensions in the region, said Yu.

In the statement, the spokesperson also said that the Embassy noticed Prime Minister Rabuka commented that China stood with Fiji when Australia turned away. He remarked that Fiji and China respect each other's sovereignty and we have not had any intrusion into our sovereign space.

China has no interest in geopolitical competition, or seeking the so-called "sphere of influence." There is no political strings attached to China's assistance, no imposing one's will onto others, and no empty promises. China advocates for all countries to uphold Pacific Island Countries' autonomy in making decisions, putting development first, and staying open and inclusive when developing relations with Pacific Island Countries, said the spokesperson. 

China always believes that the Pacific is the homeland of the people of Pacific Island Countries, not the backyard of big powers outside the region. The Pacific is a stage for cooperation, not a battlefield for vicious competition. It makes no sense to view China's sincere help to Pacific Island Countries from the narrow perspective of geo-competition, said the spokesperson.

Forcing Pacific Island Countries to "choose sides" can never address the urgent demands for development of the people from the Pacific Island Countries, nor the common threat of climate change to mankind, said the spokesperson.